PlanetLaundry Podcast
America’s #1 Resource for Vended Laundry News & Info
PlanetLaundry is the official publication of the Coin Laundry Association and is trusted by thousands to deliver the latest news and industry-specific topics for laundry owners and professionals.
Go for ‘Broker’
Working with a Broker to Buy or Sell Your Next Laundromat With some 30,000 laundromats in the United States – give or take – there are stores perpetually being bought and sold in nearly every market throughout the country. This is where a reputable laundry broker...
The Heroes Among Us
Saluting Just a Few of the Many Military Veterans Who Continue to Serve… Now as Part of the Laundry Industry On the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or truce, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany, ending the First World War....
Weathering the Storm
Three Laundromat Owners Who Have Adapted – And Continue to Thrive – During the COVID-19 Pandemic Although the COVID-19 shutdown in March left many businesses out in the cold, laundromats – deemed as providing essential services – motored on, adapted to the changes and...
Headlines
Wash with Wally: Installing an ATM
I just got into the laundromat business, and I’m considering installing an ATM in my store. My question is whether I’m better off buying a machine outright and installing it myself, or having an outside vendor own and install the ATM, with some type of commission...
Speed Queen Laundromat Franchise to Open Flagship Location
Speed Queen has announced the construction of its flagship laundromat in support of the brand’s franchise model. The 12,250-square-foot store, located in Chicago, is scheduled to open this spring and will feature an array of equipment, with washer capacities ranging...
Venturing into the Future
An Interview with Clean Ventures Managing Director Peter Stern Peter Stern is the managing director of Clean Ventures, a newly formed venture capital fund created to attract and invest in growth-stage laundry companies. Stern also serves as senior vice president of...
Eastern Funding Appoints Chief Operating Officer
Eastern Funding LLC recently named Nancy Robles its chief operating officer. Robles previously served as the company’s executive vice president of operations and compliance officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for all of the company’s day-to-day...
Speed Queen Expands Hermes’ Sales Territory
Speed Queen has expanded the sales territory of Hermes Commercial Laundry Equipment for the brand’s vended laundry products to include the western portion of Indiana. Hermes, headquartered in Bloomington, Ill., now sells Speed Queen laundromat equipment in the...
Let’s Go! Let’s Grow!
As PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman asked (and answered) in this column last month, “Has 2020 sucked? Yes, without a doubt.” I think we can all echo that sentiment. However, the stage is set to put 2020 behind us! As your CLA Chairman for 2020, I stated last March that...
Avoid Shortcuts
All Garment-Care Solutions Are Not Created Equal I often read the posts and subsequent comments on the various Facebook feeds targeting the laundry business. I love the idea of people interacting with each other and sharing ideas and best practices – especially with...
Clean Show Announces Rate-Lock Deadline of January 15
Companies that have previously exhibited at the Clean Show have until Friday, January 15, 2021, to save money by locking in current booth rates for the next edition of the show. The next Clean Show will take place July 30-August 2, 2022 in Atlanta. “We understand that...
Clean Laundry Brand Announces Upcoming Store Openings
Clean Laundry – a licensed laundromat brand and concept – recently announced the addition of new locations in Texas, Arizona and Wisconsin. The brand, which is a business unit of Clickstop Inc., has reported two stores opening soon in Austin, Texas. In addition, the...
HappyNest Appoints Customer Experience Director
Laundry pickup-and-delivery service HappyNest – headquartered in East Greenwich, R.I. – has named Kyle Ricci its new director of customer experience. Most recently, Ricci served as manager of customer success at Upserve, a restaurant customer management platform based...
Creating a Winning Business Plan Webinar
Attend this program to learn what factors need to be included in a good business plan and leave with a template that will help you get started creating your winning plan.
A Prescription for Full-Service Profits Book
PlanetLaundry Editor Bob Nieman collected some of the best articles of Wash-Dry-Fold and commercial accounts Advice from Jeff Gardner, ‘The Laundry Doctor’ in this book. Get your copy!
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CLA COVID-19 Update
The Coin Laundry Association closely monitors updates regarding the coronavirus pandeminc. Click here to learn more and access resources.
This Month's Issue
- Just Who Do You Think You Are: It’s Not a Trick Question, But the Future of Your Laundromat Business Depends on the Answer
- Business Bio: A Look at Rocket Laundry in Spartanburg, S.C.
- The Laundromat Millionaire: What’s Your Business’ Value Proposition?
- LaundryCares Store Spotlight: Massachusetts Owner Gives Back to HIs Neighborhood Through Childhood Literacy Options
- And more…
THE LATEST ON LAUNDROMATS
Industry News
Creating the Right Atmosphere
An Interview with Mike Kelly of Atmosphere TV Mike Kelly began his sales and marketing career in the wine and spirits industry, having built and executed marketing programs for some of the largest spirits brands in the world. “When I came across the opportunity to...
Speed Queen Laundromat Franchise to Open Flagship Location
Speed Queen has announced the construction of its flagship laundromat in support of the brand’s franchise model. The 12,250-square-foot store, located in Chicago, is scheduled to open this spring and will feature an array of equipment, with washer capacities ranging...
Venturing into the Future
An Interview with Clean Ventures Managing Director Peter Stern Peter Stern is the managing director of Clean Ventures, a newly formed venture capital fund created to attract and invest in growth-stage laundry companies. Stern also serves as senior vice president of...
Eastern Funding Appoints Chief Operating Officer
Eastern Funding LLC recently named Nancy Robles its chief operating officer. Robles previously served as the company’s executive vice president of operations and compliance officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for all of the company’s day-to-day...
Speed Queen Expands Hermes’ Sales Territory
Speed Queen has expanded the sales territory of Hermes Commercial Laundry Equipment for the brand’s vended laundry products to include the western portion of Indiana. Hermes, headquartered in Bloomington, Ill., now sells Speed Queen laundromat equipment in the...
FROM YOUR FAVORITE INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Columns
The Laundry Doctor
Shifting Expectations of ‘Laundry Day’
Drycleaners Raise Awareness of Wash-Dry-Fold Services One of the biggest potential opportunities for store owners offering full-service laundry programs in the current and post-COVID-19 world is – and will be – the heightened awareness of outsourced laundry. Much of...
The Business Mind
The Psychology of Risk
Mastering the Uncertainties of Laundromat Ownership “Ninety-five percent of thought, emotion and learning occur in the unconscious mind without our awareness.” – Dr. Gerald Zautman, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University It’s a well-accepted fact that all business...
Wash With Wally
Wash with Wally: Preventing Dryer Fires
I own three self-service laundries, and I’ve been plagued with dryer fires. I have the ductwork cleaned every three years. What can I do to prevent these fires? What am I missing? One of the problems I notice in a lot of laundries is that the ductwork has been...
Viewpoint
Silver Linings
Typically, December is a time to pause, look back and take stock of your life and your business. It’s normally the perfect opportunity to reminisce about the 365 days gone by (366, in this case) – and to try to predict what the next 365 have in store. Not this year!...
Digital Marketing
Looking Forward by Looking Back
Why Marketing Your Laundry Business is Only Going to Get Better The world has changed quite a bit over the last three decades. Heck, it has changed a lot just in 2020 alone. But let’s not go into that here. If you were to take a time machine back to 1990, you wouldn’t...
FROM THE PAGES AND STUDIO OF PLANETLAUNDRY
Highlights
Digital Marketing
Marketing During Times of Crisis
Some Promotional Do’s, Don’ts and Considerations as We All Try to Navigate the COVID-19 Crisis It’s easy to get downhearted about the state of the world in the middle of COVID-19’s madness. With social distancing measures, self-quarantines in place and a heightened...
Traditional vs. Digital
What Marketing Methods are Right for Your Laundromat in 2020 and Beyond? Digital marketing is the future, right? As someone on the frontlines of digital marketing for the laundry industry, I certainly believe that to be true – but that doesn’t mean you should change...
Viewpoint
Tempus Fugit!
Time certainly does fly. It’s hard to believe that the Coin Laundry Association first launched its monthly magazine 30 years ago! At the time, I had the privilege of being the CLA’s Chairman of the Board. And, as I recall, it was a much different environment in those...
You’ve Never Been More Essential
“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” – Frederick Douglass You’ve likely had a few pressing issues on your mind these last several months. Namely, the health and well-being of your family, employees and customers – not to mention, quite possibly, that of...
Video
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